Recently, German specialty chemicals company LANXESS demonstrated new high-performance additives for the tire industry at the 2026 Tire Technology Expo in Hannover.
With these solutions, LANXESS helps tire manufacturers stabilize and improve the safety and material efficiency of their production processes, reduce their ecological footprint, and improve the overall performance of modern tires.
LANXESS rubber chemicals help tire manufacturers make the production process more stable and efficient, reduce the ecological footprint, and make modern tires perform better.
Sustainable alternative to 6PPD: Vulkanox 4060
In response to the increasingly stringent regulatory requirements for the antioxidant 6PPD (especially in the United States, but also under the EU legislative framework), LANXESS developed Vulkanox 4060 (N,N’-dicyclohexyl-p-phenylenediamine, CCPD) as an alternative product with better environmental properties.
Laboratory and application tests have shown that this product can provide anti-aging protection equivalent to 6PPD in tire compounds and finished tires.
LANXESS is preparing to register Vulkanox 4060 with an annual consumption of more than 1,000 tons in accordance with the EU REACH regulations.
The product is scheduled to be commercially produced by mid-year.
Aflux SD – a highly efficient processing aid for silica dispersion
Aflux SD is a processing aid for silica dispersion. It can improve the flow properties of rubber compounds and the dispersion effect of fillers, and is especially suitable for functional polymer systems.
Made from sustainable raw materials, the additive does not contain substances of very high concern (SVHC) and significantly improves silica dispersion.
This helps reduce the Payne effect, which improves the tire’s rolling resistance, wear resistance and wet grip.
Regulation becomes a driver of innovation
Talc is used as both a release agent and a filler in the rubber industry.
However, regulatory pressure on talc continues to increase.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) under the World Health Organization has recently reclassified talc as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” (Group 2A).
According to the requirements of the upcoming EU Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), talc will be highlighted in the digital product passport.
As a result, demand for talc-free products continues to grow within the industry.
Following this trend, LANXESS now offers talc-free versions of its entire Rhenogran and Rhenoslab product portfolio.
Cohedur RA is a safe alternative to resorcinol in textile cord or steel cord bonding systems.
The product is resorcin-free, disperses easily and avoids blooming common in traditional resorcin-containing products.
Production process solutions
Rhenodiv BO-3900 beaded cold dispersible release agent is a mineral-free, cold water dispersible film release agent that can significantly reduce equipment surface deposits.
Thanks to its bead-like form, the product allows precise, repeatable dosing and is completely dust-free.
In addition, the beaded cold-dispersing release agent also stands out for its sustainable, resource-saving formulation.
The filler-free internal spray solution Rhenodiv BP-338 ensures clean, defect-free release of the cured tire from the bladder.
Although this product does not undergo chemical reactions, it can achieve the release effect of a reactive system.
Compared with traditional solutions, its dosage is significantly reduced, and no hydrogen is released during processing.
